Building Better Regions Fund making important dreams become reality for local communities

Norfolk Island will receive a boost following news Auwas Letl Salan; Norfolk Island's Kids project has won funding through the Australian Government's Building Better Regions Fund.

The Auwas Letl Salan; Norfolk Island's Kids project has received $899,900 funding over two years, as part of the BBRF Infrastructure Projects Stream, which will upgrade the island's major education and care facility at Banyan Park.

It's important that all children receive the best start in life which not only begins at home but also in the classroom, which is now a reality thanks to the Australian Government's Building Better Regions Fund.

The new funding for the Banyan Park Early Learning Centre's Auwas Letl Salan; Norfolk Island's Kids project will provide children and families with improved infrastructure at the Centre, giving children access to better classroom facilities and outdoor play areas.

This work includes three new classrooms and upgrades to the existing building; extensive landscaping to outdoor play areas with modern equipment, and new undercover play areas; accessible parking for drop-off and pick-up areas; and an access ramp for prams and people with a disability.

The Building Better Regions Fund received more than 500 applications and ours was one of about 100 which were approved.

I congratulate Banyan Park, which is a community based service committed to providing quality care to young children on Norfolk Island before they begin school, and look forward to working with them to deliver benefits to the community of Norfolk Island.

Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said she created the Building Better Regions Fund to help build strong communities for decades to come.

“I aim to help build the kinds of regional communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to, and projects like this one do exactly that,” Minister Nash said.

“After a competitive merit-based selection process, there are always those who were not successful and are naturally disappointed. We know this and we've got dedicated staff in the Department of Industry to give tailored feedback to each unsuccessful applicant to help improve those applications for next time. They can be contacted on bbrffeedback@industry.gov.au."

Minister Nash said she expected to open another round of BBRF before the end of the year.

Minister Nash will announce the successful applicants for funding under the BBRF's Community Investments Stream—for projects designed to support a range of local capability-building activities—in the coming months.